I really like the additions of Kluber and Soto, and feel like Diaz could add something down the road. I'm interested to see Soto and Haley kind of grow up together, as both are high risk/high reward type of pitchers. Kluber, I think, could contend for a rotation slot next year.

I'm hopeful though that we go with the PTBN in the Kearns and Wood deals, and attempt to add some corner IF/OF power. I know that good prospects at those positions are hard to come by, but just for the depth in our organization, I'd take a flyer on a pure power hitter that might have some other glaring flaws. The big league team doesn't have anyone with more than 13 HRs, and it's August. After Weglarz, there is nothing close to a power prospect anywhere in the minors, best I can tell. And we didn't even take a flyer on a corner IF/OF power guy anywhere in the draft. This organization desperately needs an influx of power.

I really like the additions of Kluber and Soto, and feel like Diaz could add something down the road. I'm interested to see Soto and Haley kind of grow up together, as both are high risk/high reward type of pitchers. Kluber, I think, could contend for a rotation slot next year.

I'm hopeful though that we go with the PTBN in the Kearns and Wood deals, and attempt to add some corner IF/OF power. I know that good prospects at those positions are hard to come by, but just for the depth in our organization, I'd take a flyer on a pure power hitter that might have some other glaring flaws. The big league team doesn't have anyone with more than 13 HRs, and it's August. After Weglarz, there is nothing close to a power prospect anywhere in the minors, best I can tell. And we didn't even take a flyer on a corner IF/OF power guy anywhere in the draft. This organization desperately needs an influx of power.

Look, I know you have to be pretty much a diehard Indians fan and you really want to believe that the Indians just didn't take some C prospects in trades for their veterans but I doubt if your rankings would even apply if we were talking about the Lake Eries Crushers organization.

I really like the additions of Kluber and Soto, and feel like Diaz could add something down the road. I'm interested to see Soto and Haley kind of grow up together, as both are high risk/high reward type of pitchers. Kluber, I think, could contend for a rotation slot next year.

I'm hopeful though that we go with the PTBN in the Kearns and Wood deals, and attempt to add some corner IF/OF power. I know that good prospects at those positions are hard to come by, but just for the depth in our organization, I'd take a flyer on a pure power hitter that might have some other glaring flaws. The big league team doesn't have anyone with more than 13 HRs, and it's August. After Weglarz, there is nothing close to a power prospect anywhere in the minors, best I can tell. And we didn't even take a flyer on a corner IF/OF power guy anywhere in the draft. This organization desperately needs an influx of power.

Look, I know you have to be pretty much a diehard Indians fan and you really want to believe that the Indians just didn't take some C prospects in trades for their veterans but I doubt if your rankings would even apply if we were talking about the Lake Eries Crushers organization.

Ah, always a pleasure to hear from Mr. Sunshine. While the C prospects comment was the usual stupid, thoughtless and brainless blather from DN, one cannot argue that the Tribe got much less talent for their castoffs this year then they did last year. But these players we traded this season are all flawed, so one could not expect the same return as last season for two all-star level players. Besides that, I think the Indians just wanted to clear room for the kids to play...that was the goal first and foremost.

We got a solid pitcher and a talented young lefty with projection, and a talented young shortstop. Could have been worse!

I don't really see any high potential prospects except, possibly, for a projectible Soto but it would be hard to argue that the four have not improved the organization at all IMO. We might be pleasantly surprised with the Yankee prospects we get on 8/20 and 10/20 (or before). Soto looks better to me than any LHP, other than Pomeranz, that we selected in the draft.

I am not sure I would be as dismissive about Washinton's power potential as dc101. Or Burnett who has some serious holes but squares up pretty well in the zone. Both might surprise us.

indianinkslinger wrote:I don't really see any high potential prospects except, possibly, for a projectible Soto but it would be hard to argue that the four have not improved the organization at all IMO. We might be pleasantly surprised with the Yankee prospects we get on 8/20 and 10/20 (or before). Soto looks better to me than any LHP, other than Pomeranz, that we selected in the draft.

I am not sure I would be as dismissive about Washinton's power potential as dc101. Or Burnett who has some serious holes but squares up pretty well in the zone. Both might surprise us.

I agree. Soto is about the only player they got that I see breaking the top 50. Kluber has a chance to be a mopup type pitcher in the majors. But minus Soto, nothing to see here.

indianinkslinger wrote:I don't really see any high potential prospects except, possibly, for a projectible Soto but it would be hard to argue that the four have not improved the organization at all IMO. We might be pleasantly surprised with the Yankee prospects we get on 8/20 and 10/20 (or before). Soto looks better to me than any LHP, other than Pomeranz, that we selected in the draft.

I am not sure I would be as dismissive about Washinton's power potential as dc101. Or Burnett who has some serious holes but squares up pretty well in the zone. Both might surprise us.

I agree. Soto is about the only player they got that I see breaking the top 50. Kluber has a chance to be a mopup type pitcher in the majors. But minus Soto, nothing to see here.

indianinkslinger wrote:I don't really see any high potential prospects except, possibly, for a projectible Soto but it would be hard to argue that the four have not improved the organization at all IMO. We might be pleasantly surprised with the Yankee prospects we get on 8/20 and 10/20 (or before). Soto looks better to me than any LHP, other than Pomeranz, that we selected in the draft.

I am not sure I would be as dismissive about Washinton's power potential as dc101. Or Burnett who has some serious holes but squares up pretty well in the zone. Both might surprise us.

I agree. Soto is about the only player they got that I see breaking the top 50. Kluber has a chance to be a mopup type pitcher in the majors. But minus Soto, nothing to see here.

I think that we may be selling Kluber short. Guess we shall see.

Just talking about ceiling, stoike. Or, at least I am. I believe Kluber will be a decent MOR/BOR but we have many of those in the organization right now. There is an old saying that you cannot have too much young pitching because young pitching is always injured. We have seen a lot of arms go down the last 12 months, some likely have a higher ceiling than Kluber. Personally, after watching Carrera defend CF, I would not sell him short either. Diaz will have to wait for my endorsement but there is no doubt he has some moves on defense. I will wait on the Yankee prospects. Gammons wrote a nice article today which hinted that we will be receiving viable prospects from the Yankees. His sources are a whole lot better than mine but I keep hearing Melky Cabrera as a name for Kearns in two weeks.

indianinkslinger wrote:ust talking about ceiling, stoike. Or, at least I am. I believe Kluber will be a decent MOR/BOR but we have many of those in the organization right now. There is an old saying that you cannot have too much young pitching because young pitching is always injured. We have seen a lot of arms go down the last 12 months, some likely have a higher ceiling than Kluber. Personally, after watching Carrera defend CF, I would not sell him short either. Diaz will have to wait for my endorsement but there is no doubt he has some moves on defense. I will wait on the Yankee prospects. Gammons wrote a nice article today which hinted that we will be receiving viable prospects from the Yankees. His sources are a whole lot better than mine but I keep hearing Melky Cabrera as a name for Kearns in two weeks.

I believe that the deadline to receive a prospect back from the trades to NY is 8/20. It was implied that the only deal that may lead to a prospect instead of money was the Kearns to NYY deal. Everything else looks like a cash deal. I was thinking that the Tribe spending a bunch on the draft might influence whether they opt for cash in all the deals or press for a player with upside in the Kearns deal. I guess we will find out by the end of the week....

indianinkslinger wrote:ust talking about ceiling, stoike. Or, at least I am. I believe Kluber will be a decent MOR/BOR but we have many of those in the organization right now. There is an old saying that you cannot have too much young pitching because young pitching is always injured. We have seen a lot of arms go down the last 12 months, some likely have a higher ceiling than Kluber. Personally, after watching Carrera defend CF, I would not sell him short either. Diaz will have to wait for my endorsement but there is no doubt he has some moves on defense. I will wait on the Yankee prospects. Gammons wrote a nice article today which hinted that we will be receiving viable prospects from the Yankees. His sources are a whole lot better than mine but I keep hearing Melky Cabrera as a name for Kearns in two weeks.

indianinkslinger wrote:ust talking about ceiling, stoike. Or, at least I am. I believe Kluber will be a decent MOR/BOR but we have many of those in the organization right now. There is an old saying that you cannot have too much young pitching because young pitching is always injured. We have seen a lot of arms go down the last 12 months, some likely have a higher ceiling than Kluber. Personally, after watching Carrera defend CF, I would not sell him short either. Diaz will have to wait for my endorsement but there is no doubt he has some moves on defense. I will wait on the Yankee prospects. Gammons wrote a nice article today which hinted that we will be receiving viable prospects from the Yankees. His sources are a whole lot better than mine but I keep hearing Melky Cabrera as a name for Kearns in two weeks.

ha, I hope this is a joke to make fun of Gammons?

I don't see the Braves getting rid of Melky. They just acquired Carlos Lee for 1b. They have Matt Diaz (hits lefties real well) and Eric Hinskie playing the corner OF. Ankiel in CF with Melky filling in when needed. Melky has really been a good OF for the Braves this year.

indianinkslinger wrote:ust talking about ceiling, stoike. Or, at least I am. I believe Kluber will be a decent MOR/BOR but we have many of those in the organization right now. There is an old saying that you cannot have too much young pitching because young pitching is always injured. We have seen a lot of arms go down the last 12 months, some likely have a higher ceiling than Kluber. Personally, after watching Carrera defend CF, I would not sell him short either. Diaz will have to wait for my endorsement but there is no doubt he has some moves on defense. I will wait on the Yankee prospects. Gammons wrote a nice article today which hinted that we will be receiving viable prospects from the Yankees. His sources are a whole lot better than mine but I keep hearing Melky Cabrera as a name for Kearns in two weeks.

ha, I hope this is a joke to make fun of Gammons?

I don't see the Braves getting rid of Melky. They just acquired Carlos Lee for 1b. They have Matt Diaz (hits lefties real well) and Eric Hinskie playing the corner OF. Ankiel in CF with Melky filling in when needed. Melky has really been a good OF for the Braves this year.

1. They got Derek Lee.2. We aren't talking about the Braves. Wrong Melky!

If the Indians could get Dellin Betances for the two month rental of Austin Kearns, all Indians fans should name their next born after Mark Shapiro. The goal here is to simply get a player who has more upside than an organizational filler, and Melky Mesa fits that description. He has a major flaw or two (contact issues and I haven't heard for certain if he requires being rostered), but he has some nice tools. If he didn't have those flaws, he wouldn't be on the list of available players to choose from.

indianinkslinger wrote:ust talking about ceiling, stoike. Or, at least I am. I believe Kluber will be a decent MOR/BOR but we have many of those in the organization right now. There is an old saying that you cannot have too much young pitching because young pitching is always injured. We have seen a lot of arms go down the last 12 months, some likely have a higher ceiling than Kluber. Personally, after watching Carrera defend CF, I would not sell him short either. Diaz will have to wait for my endorsement but there is no doubt he has some moves on defense. I will wait on the Yankee prospects. Gammons wrote a nice article today which hinted that we will be receiving viable prospects from the Yankees. His sources are a whole lot better than mine but I keep hearing Melky Cabrera as a name for Kearns in two weeks.

ha, I hope this is a joke to make fun of Gammons?

I don't see the Braves getting rid of Melky. They just acquired Carlos Lee for 1b. They have Matt Diaz (hits lefties real well) and Eric Hinskie playing the corner OF. Ankiel in CF with Melky filling in when needed. Melky has really been a good OF for the Braves this year.

SP Ivan Nova may be in play for Kearns. He is a 23 year old starter that is doing quite well in AAA this year. I do not know if he is rule 5 elligible this year but he seems to be a fantastic pick up for Kearns if this happens.

toledobuck wrote:SP Ivan Nova may be in play for Kearns. He is a 23 year old starter that is doing quite well in AAA this year. I do not know if he is rule 5 elligible this year but he seems to be a fantastic pick up for Kearns if this happens.

Looks like he would need to go on the 40.

In December 2008, Nova was selected by the San Diego Padres in the Rule 5 draft.[1] However, he was returned to the Yankees at the end of the 2009 spring training.[2] Following the 2009 season, Nova was added to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[3]

I have not been following the Tribe farm system closely since the mid-1990s, so I speak with a degree of ignorance. That being said, it seems to me that the Tribe farm system is awash in very solid pitching. Maybe no all-star studs to speak of but lots of serviceable major league pitchers.

It is striking that Tomlin and Gomez have both been effective at the MLB level, yet I bet most observers would not necessarily considered them among the best 10 or 15 pitching prospects in the system as of July 1.

Next year we have seven guys fighting for 5 MLB rotation slots:

CarmonaTalbotTomlinMastersonCarrascoGomezHuff

We have eight guys battling for 5 AAA rotation slots:

EspinoKluberMcAllisterWhiteBarnesDe la CruzBergerPacker(and then there is Rondon who would be on this list were it not for Tommy John)

I assume one or two of those eight guys will remain in AA. We also have six more legitimate prospects battling for the 5 AA rotation slots:

HouseGardnerMcFarlandAdamsMahalicPopham

And then there is high A Kinston where we have an oversupply of prospects who are fighting for the five rotation slots:

KnappPomeranzBlairClayton CookSotoBrachHaley(plus Alexander Perez and Danny Salazar should be healthy and they are good prospects)

In short, it seems like we are swimming in starting talent. Some of these guys will clearly falter and some will go to the pen, but the pen too is jammed with good prospects throughout the system.

Hi e e, some thoughts on your list. I think your list for potential ML pitchers should include Reyes. I know some think he will be dropped from the 40 but I don't think so unless the medical evidence is stacked against him. In the AAA list, DLC is headed back to Akron. They won't rush his recovery. Packer is unlikely to be starting in AAA IMO. Relief or AA I would think. While Espino is a candidate for the rotation, I suspect his future is in the pen. In your AA list, all could be candidates but I suspect McFarland, Adams and Mahalic are destined for the pen. Just a guess on my part. Kinston will be real crowded and will depend on health to some extent.

I would not be shocked to see this list trimmed somewhat over the winter. There are big organizational holes to be be filled at 1B and corner OF power. There is an overabundance of RH pitching both starters and relievers. When the Indians deal minor leaguers, they generally do so from positions of organizational strength and you have pointed out very accurately that this is the tribe's greatest depth area.